Church arsonist pleads guilty

Geoffrey Tyler Parquette, the man arrested in January in connection with a series of church arsons and vandalisms in Lee and Russell Counties, is scheduled to be sentenced in July.

Parquette pleaded guilty Thursday in Russell County Circuit Court to two counts of arson, two counts of burglary and one count of first-degree criminal mischief, said Russell County District Attorney Ken Davis. The 21-year-old Smiths Station High School graduate faces a total of 15 years in prison for setting fire to two churches in Russell County. He faces additional state and possibly federal charges in Lee County, Davis said. Parquette may also face federal charges in Russell County.

Davis said Parquette will be sentenced July 29. The court will also determine the amount of restitution Parquette must pay for the damage done to the churches.

The first church fire was discovered on New Year's day. Two more followed, along with vandalism at a fourth church where an intruder alarm sounded and no fire was set.

Parquette and 21-year-old James Scott Clark of Smiths Station were arrested Jan. 7 and charged in the crimes. The two claimed to be involved in satanic activity.

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